AGGRIEVED

04.08.12

Roman ‘Gladiators’ Scale Colosseum

Pier Paolo Cito / AP Photo

A centurion’s gotta do what a centurion’s gotta do. Fake gladiators clambered their way up the Colosseum Sunday to protest new restrictions that prevent them from taking photos with tourists for money. Three days ago, police in Rome fined the costumed combatants for providing a paid service without proper authorization. But since when does a gladiator ask permission? The crackdown is intended to restore a sense of gravity at the ancient site where Roman blood lust was put on full display. But if the Colosseum teaches us anything, it’s that the people love a show, and the gladiators have taken up arms, albeit fake ones, against the ban.